Hispanics are the only ethnic group expected to experience an increase in high school dropouts in the next decade, according to a new report exploring the issue.

That news could prove devastating to the economy since one out of every five new people entering into the workforce is Hispanic, cites RAND, a California-based think-tank which released the findings.

With the idea that an educated workforce is essential to get immigrants beyond jobs of menial labor, a push is on by educators, legislators and Hispanic leaders to encourage Hispanic students to stay in school and to pursue a college education after graduating from high school.

But there's a catch.

Even if the students meet college admission requirements, actually attending the university might prove a difficult undertaking.

It appears easy access to public education ends after the 12th grade, when students are asked to produce a Social Security number on college application forms. That's when undocumented residents start facing the roadblocks to pursuing a college degree.

Citizenship issues don't usually come up for students attending Illinois' public elementary, middle and high schools. "There is nothing in the school code that addresses citizenship," said Wade Nelson, a spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Education. He said students who live in a particular district have a right to be educated in the schools regardless of their resident status.

Experts at the National Immigration Law Center say about 2 percent of high school graduates are undocumented, most of whom are Hispanic. Some Hispanic organizations say the number could be closer to 4 percent.

Even if they have lived in the U.S. most of their lives, undocumented students face the reality of paying nearly double for college, because the law requires they pay out-of-state tuition and fees. Some also may be charged small international application fees. And none are eligible for publicly funded scholarships or grants to help pay for their education.

At DeKalb's Northern Illinois University, for instance, out-of-state tuition and fees total $7,776 compared to $4,484 for Illinois residents. Experts say the financial burden is one reason Hispanics continue to trail other ethnic groups when it comes to graduating from college.

Later this month, the Illinois Board of Higher Education is releasing the final draft of its "Access and Diversity" report. In it, educators discuss ways to help all students, but minorities, in particular, gain better access to college and to ensure appropriate programs are set up so they stay. The document does not address undocumented students, though Committee Chair Jerry Blakemore says it is an area that may warrant discussion.

"It's when they graduate from high school that they hit the wall," said Fred Tsao, immigration and citizenship coordinator for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "Many immigrant children just give up."

U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, now is responding to reports from guidance counselors who say even promising students drop out when they realize going to college will be difficult.

Durbin wants to push through a proposed federal law that would benefit undocumented students of all ethnic backgrounds by helping them earn a college degree. A similar bill already has passed in Texas. A companion bill to Durbin's was introduced in the U.S. House in May.

Called the "Children's Adjustment, Relief and Education Act," it calls for special immigration status for good-standing students who have lived in this country for at least five years. That means they would be allowed to qualify for federal assistance for college. The bill also would repeal a 1996 immigration act that allowed colleges to charge immigrants out-of-state rates for tuition.

"Without this legislation, tens of thousands of high school students across our nation, some of them valedictorians, will face uncertain futures," Durbin wrote in a draft of a letter he sent to his Senate colleagues soliciting their support.

Tsao and others say the legislation is an important step in helping educate the growing immigrant workforce to be in line with their American counterparts. Census figures highlight a 70 percent increase in the Hispanic population in Illinois during the last decade and shows no sign of slowing. Recent statistics also show Hispanics make up one out of every five new entrants into the workforce. Tsao believes to help Hispanics move beyond service positions and seasonal work and into corporations and private businesses, education is the key.

That's the crux of Durbin's proposal, which likely will face a challenge from some who say the legislation is simply un-American.

"That flies in the face of the laws of this land," said Robert Goldsborough, president of the Virginia-based American Immigration Control. "We are rewarding lawbreakers when there are others who have been waiting three months to three years to get into this country legally."

Goldsborough argues "charity begins at home." He said the U.S. should focus on eliminating poverty among its existing citizens before helping those who "sneak into this country."

But Bob Burk, director of admissions for NIU, said students should not be penalized for the mistakes of their parents. "A lot of these students meet the admission requirements and can be allowed in," he said. "We say 'yes, you can' (attend school) but wham, 'how are you going to be able to afford it?'"

Many agree it is difficult for some Hispanics, who may be working minimum-wage jobs, to afford college. "Some are turning to community college, but many are finding even tuition there can be tough to pay," Tsao said.

Many immigrants get their foot in the door through community colleges such as Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Elgin Community College and Harper College, in Palatine, where admissions counselors "don't ask" whether they are documented. If they do not have a social security code, a nine-digit student identification number is issued. If the student can prove residency in the districts, he or she is allowed to attend the school and pay in-district fees.

At Oakton, that fee is $50 per credit hour.

"It's important that we allow people who graduate from high schools in our area to continue on with their education," said Dave Cole, director of admissions and enrollment management for Oakton.

Fewer than 10 percent of Hispanics in this country have college degrees, a number the California-based Hispanic Scholarship Fund is trying to double by 2006. Experts there said the main roadblock is that a significant number of Hispanic children are at-risk, living in poor families with both parents lacking even a high school diploma.

Even the Hispanic Scholarship Fund can do little in helping undocumented residents pay for school. The organization gave away nearly $19.3 million last year, including nearly $700,000 to 305 Illinois students. But only U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents qualified for the aid it raises from private donors.

Emilio Cruz, its chief operating officer, said they simply have been respectful of existing donors and the agency's original by-laws.

But Cruz said the agency, which is looking to expand with offices in Texas and Chicago, will look at ways in assisting undocumented students, especially if Durbin's legislation passes.

Several admissions counselors at the state level said they don't often face the issue of undocumented residents attempting to attend their schools. Immigrant rights advocates said that's because students don't even bother applying for fear of being turned away.

"As far as the documentation is concerned, I don't think we run into too much of a problem with that," said Steve Adams, director of admissions for Illinois State University in Bloomington. "And if we did, we'd make every attempt to help those students do what they have to do to get residency status. That's the humanitarian thing to do."